Wilson’s Job Hunt Continues

Ron Wilson, former coach of the Mighty Ducks, had what he called a “positive� interview Tuesday when he discussed both the coaching and general manager positions with the Washington Capitals.

Wilson, who said he has received serious interest from three NHL teams he declined to name, will be in Phoenix today for his second interview with the Coyotes for their vacant coaching position.

Wilson said he hopes he can make a decision on his next job this week.

The Mighty Ducks, citing philosophical differences, declined to renew Wilson’s contract after he led them to the first postseason berth in franchise history.

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Wanting to end early any speculation about a goaltending controversy, Philadelphia Flyer Coach Terry Murray said he will start Ron Hextall in Saturday’s Game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals.

Hextall began the playoffs as backup to Garth Snow, who hasn’t played since he allowed five goals in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference final against the New York Rangers.

“Hextall is doing the job,� Murray said. “He’s one of the leaders on our club.�

This postseason, Hextall is 4-0 with a 2.26 goals-against-average. Snow is 8-3 with a 2.72. Murray said the goaltending tandem is a blessing, not a burden.

“The team feels confident playing in front of either one of them,� Murray said. “It’s a good situation for us.�

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The Pittsburgh Penguins continued their transition to a younger team by declining to pick up the option of defenseman Craig Muni, who will turn 35 in July.

Muni, who played on three Stanley Cup championship teams in Edmonton, was a disappointment in Pittsburgh, failing to score a goal in 64 games. He had four assists and 36 penalty minutes.

According to the NHL Players Assn., Muni made $680,374 this season. The money the Penguins save by letting him go likely will go toward signing their two most recent No. 1 draft choices, right winger Alexei Morozov and goaltender Craig Hillier.

Muni is the third Penguin player 31 or older who will not return next season. Mario Lemieux, who would have been 32 next season, and Joey Mullen, 40, have retired.

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The America West Arena in Phoenix doesn’t work as well for hockey as for basketball, so the five-year-old building may be due for some interior redesign.

When the Coyotes moved from Winnipeg, they believed an overhanging balcony would obstruct the view from about 2,500 seats; actually, 4,300 were affected.

While saying his team wants to stay in the arena, Coyote Chief Executive Officer Shawn Hunter has spoken with the National Sports Center Task Force about playing in a domed sports complex that Mesa and other eastern suburbs are considering as a home for the Tempe-based Arizona Cardinals. The concept has yet to advance past the stage of funding proposals.

The Coyotes plan to build a practice and headquarters complex in Scottsdale, an eastern suburb.

No NHL and NFL teams currently share a building.

“That doesn’t mean it can’t happen,� Hunter said. “But you can’t point to any scenario around North America and say, ‘Look, there’s a football team and a hockey team and, boy, they’ve both done well and they’ve preserved the intimacy for both sports.’ That’s the key for us.�

Phoenix Arena Sports, a Suns’ subsidiary that manages the arena, has looked into rebuilding the south end to add seats and shift the skating rink’s location out from under the balcony. The price: $40 million.

“To take those seats at the north end and make those unobstructed is not going to be possible, but we are looking at some other things,� said Bob Machen, PAS general manager.

Machen said suggestions include raising the playing surface or adding seats to the upper deck.